The best bets for the first week of college football bowl season

Over the next few weeks the best teams in college football will meet for one final game before heading back to the weight room and recruiting circuit to get ready for next year.

But for now, we have more great football to look forward to! During the regular season we picked seven games a weekend against the spread as our best bets, and went a comfortably profitable 54-43-1 in that span.

With bowl season here, we're taking our increased bankroll and letting it ride so we can enter 2018 with even more money to lose on the new sporting year.

Below you'll find our picks against the spread for every bowl game between now and Christmas. After the holiday, we'll check back in and offer some more picks to get you the rest of the way.

All lines courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.

1/

New Orleans Bowl: Troy (-7) vs. North Texas

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The pick: North Texas +7

The logic: Troy was one of the most notable Group of 5 schools in the country this season after their upset win on the road over LSU. That said, I think they'll be overvalued in this spot simply because casual gamblers know them — "Oh yeah! That's that random team that beat LSU!" — while they won't know North Texas, who have been just as impressive.

When to watch: 1 p.m. Saturday, December 16 on ESPN

2/

AutoNation Cure Bowl: Western Kentucky (-6.5) vs. Georgia State

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The pick: Western Kentucky -6.5

The logic: Western Kentucky has won three straight bowl games and thus has a group of seniors who have never lost a postseason game. Let's trust them to finish out their college careers strong.

When to watch: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 16 on CBS Sports

3/

Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State (+7) vs. Oregon

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The pick: Oregon -7

The logic: Oregon has scored an average of 33 points a game this season despite being held to single-digit efforts twice. The Boise State Broncos on the other hand have not had the same dominant offense that once made them the top powerhouse in the Group of 5.

I think Oregon gets to 40 points this game, and I don't think the Broncos can keep pace. Boise already played its biggest game of the season when they won their rematch with Fresno State to take the MWAC championship. Plus, this way you get to root for whatever wild jerseys the Ducks decide to wear.

When to watch: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, December 16 on ABC

4/

New Mexico Bowl: Marshall (+5) vs. Colorado State

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The pick: Marshall +5

The logic: Marshall has won their past five bowl games, the longest active streak in college football. Trust the trend.

When to watch: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, December 16 on ESPN

5/

Camellia Bowl: Middle Tennessee (+4) vs. Arkansas State

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The pick: Middle Tennessee +4

The logic: The past two years Middle Tennessee has played bowl games in Hawaii and the Bahamas — no doubt fun destinations for the players to take an expenses paid trip, but difficult for the MTSU faithful to get to and show their support.

This year, in Montgomery, Alabama, fans of the Blue Raiders will likely be out in droves.

When to watch: 8 p.m. Saturday, December 16 on ESPN

6/

Boca Raton Bowl: Akron (+22.5) vs. Florida Atlantic

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The pick: Florida Atlantic -22.5

The logic: In Lane Kiffin I trust!

When to watch: 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 19 on ESPN

7/

Frisco Bowl: Louisiana Tech (+5) vs. SMU

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The pick: SMU -5

The logic: The only play I remember from either of these teams this season is this never-ending fumble from LA Tech that left the Bulldogs with third-and-goal and 93 yards to go to the end zone.

So I'm betting against that.

When to watch: 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 20 on ESPN

8/

Gasparilla Bowl: Temple (-7.5) vs. Florida International

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The pick: Temple -7.5

The logic: First and foremost, I feel obliged to pick my alma mater. But more importantly from a gambling perspective, the Owls have now made their third straight bowl game after never making it to the postseason in consecutive years in school history.

Unfortunately, Temple is 0-2 the past two years in their bowl games, meaning there are seniors on this team who were snubbed from a bowl game their freshman year, and then lost twice in the final game of the season. They needed to win three of their final four games to get bowl eligible this year, including a big upset win over Navy.

They're going to want this win.

When to watch: 8 p.m. Thursday, December 21 on ESPN

9/

Bahamas Bowl: UAB (+7.5) vs. Ohio

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The pick: UAB +7.5

The logic: UAB is one of the best feel-good stories of the college football season. In their first season back after the program was cut from the school for budgetary reasons, the team qualifies for their just their second bowl game in history. It's the type of storybook underdog you're going to want to support.

When to watch: 12:30 p.m. Friday, December 22 on ESPN

10/

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Central Michigan (PK) vs. Wyoming

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The pick: Central Michigan PK

The logic: Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen is a draft prospect that had to miss the final few games of Wyoming's season due to injury. While he might be medically ready to go for the Cowboys' season finale, it's hard to imagine him playing and risking his future. Get ready for some MACtion!

When to watch: 4 p.m. Friday, December 22 on ESPN

11/

Birmingham Bowl: Texas Tech (+2.5) vs. South Florida

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The pick: Texas Tech +2.5

The logic: South Florida wanted to secure the Group of 5 spot in a New Year's Six bowl game this year. They came close, but stumbled against Houston and then fell a touchdown short against UCF in their regular season finale. They played in this game last year, and I don't see them getting up for it again when they had such higher hopes for the season.

Meanwhile, in Texas Tech you get a Power 5 school as an underdog. Take the points.

When to watch: 12 p.m. Saturday, December 23 on ESPN

12/

Armed Forces Bowl: San Diego State (-6) vs. Army

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The pick: San Diego State -6

The logic: Army's biggest game of the season was beating Navy last weekend. While they're a solid squad, San Diego State is better, and they've faced plenty of run-heavy offenses over the season that will make preparing for Army's option-offense less of an issue.

When to watch: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, December 23 on ESPN

13/

Dollar General Bowl: Appalachian State (+8) vs. Toledo

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The pick: Toledo -8

The logic: Toledo scores a ton of points — they put up 30 against the Miami Hurricanes and their turnover chain early in the season, and have totals of 66, 37, and 45 over their past three games. Root for points!

When to watch: 7 p.m. Saturday, December 23 on ESPN

14/

Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State (+2.5) vs. Houston

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The pick: Fresno State +2.5

The logic: Fresno State has four losses, but two of those came on the road to Alabama and Washington extremely early in the year. They're a better team that their record indicates and for my money they should be favored, making them and points quite an appealing wager.